Himalaya Niti Abhiyan interaction with political party representatives

Bilaspur, 11 April 2009 : After two days of intense discussions and deliberations on issues thrown up by the people’s movements resisting and struggling with impacts of the projects promoted under the current economic policies of the government – the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan evolved a detailed charter of demands for political parties and the government. The charter had specific demands for each of the project affected groups as well as a list of common demands to protect the interests of displaced, affected communities and the Himalayan Environment.

Some of the demands included a complete scrapping of forced land acquisition for projects; a moratorium on cement and limestone mining industry; scrapping of real estate projects like SEZs and Ski Village and immediate actions towards just rehabilitation of displaced groups; and strengthening of protective legislations like the Land reforms Act and the provision under section 118. The Himalaya Niti Abhiyan convenor Guman Singh stated that we are not just resisting and saying “no” to the present policies but also proposing an alternative vision for development in Himachal – A vision that is based on strengthening natural resource based livelihoods and those that promote small, labour intensive and ecologically sustainable options.

The charter of demands was presented to the political party representatives from the BSP, CPM, CPI and Congress. Members of the ruling party, BJP were conspicuous by their absence. While the political party members were asked to make specific statements and comments on the people’s charter – none of the members – except for Comrade Deshraj, State Secretary CPI, touched upon the issue of the need for people centred development. “The CPI manifesto of 2007 clearly makes a statement on displacement, large dams and cement plants”. He also said that he extended his full support to the demands of the people’s movements. District Secretary of CPM, Lakhan Pal claimed that the CPM had been part of many important struggles. However, he did not make any specific commitments to any of the demands.

KK Kaushal, State Secretary of the Bahujan Samajwadi Party, while spoke of his proactive role in some of the movements in the state did not take a clear party line on any of the development issues. Rajesh Dharmani, MLA, Ghumarvin of the Congress party brushed aside many of the issues of people’s struggles by referring to them as “only looking at the problem rather than a solution”. It was not surprising that he clearly skirted and overlooked the alternative development policies being sought by the people and also glorified the displacement of Bhakhra as a “sacrifice” for providing water to states like Rajasthan. The only commitment made by him was towards a “business-oriented” model of development that his party has so callously been following especially since the new economic policies were introduced by them after 1990.

“We are thoroughly disappointed with the response to the demands” said Bhagat Singh, member of the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan

The Himalaya Niti abhiyan with leaders of all the movements will have a state level meeting soon to discuss a plan of action towards charter of resolutions.